can the federal government deny same-sex couples marriage benefits? that's the big question these justices are now dealing with. today the supreme court's examination of same-sex marriage focuses on the defense of marriage act, also known as doma. 83-year-old ooedy winsor is asking the court to strike down the federal law which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. >> we were married, so the magic word for anybody who doesn't understand why we want it and why we need it, okay, it is magic. >> reporter: windsor and her wife had been a couple for more than 40 years but had only been married briefly. when spire died in 2009, windsor got slammed in $360,000 in federal estate taxes, money she would not have to pay if she was married to a man. gay and lesbian couples are not awarded a number of benefits, like spousal security, social security and veterans benefits. >> can the government deny to those legally married couples benefits available to heterosexual couples. >> reporter: the definition of marriage has ignited intense debate. yester